Barton-under-Needwood in 1868

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer (1868)]

"BARTON-UNDER-NEEDWOOD, a township and chapelry in the parish of Tatenhill, northern division of the hundred of Offlow, in the county of Stafford, 5 miles to the S.W. of Burton-on-Trent, its post town, and 8 N.E. from Lichfield. It is situated near the west bank of the river Trent, which here divides the counties of Derby and Stafford. The Birmingham and Derby railway and the Grand Trunk canal pass through the parish, the former having a station at Barton and Walton, about one mile east of the village. Barton lies within the limits of the ancient forest of Needwood, and constitutes one of the five wards into which it was divided on being enclosed. The land is extremely fertile, principally pasture and meadow land, in a high state of cultivation, studded with numerous farm-houses.

The living is a perpetual curacy in the diocese of Lichfield, value £135, in the patronage of the Dean of Lichfield. The church, which was built in 1528 by John Taylor, a native of Barton, is in the perpendicular style, with a large square tower and six bells. It is dedicated to St. James. The Primitive and Wesleyan Methodists have chapels here.

There is a free grammar school, founded and endowed in 1593 by Thomas Russell, with a revenue of about £50 per annum, in the patronage of the Drapers' Company. A school for girls was also erected here in 1831, and endowed with canal shares, formerly producing £20 per annum, but now depreciated about £5 per annum. There are other charitable endowments, amounting to about £50. Barton is in the honour of Tutbury, Duchy of Lancaster, and in the County Court district of Burton-on-Trent. Fairs are held on the 3rd May and the 28th November for cattle. In the neighbourhood of the village are several very handsome villas; among others, Silver Hill, the residence of C. Whyon, Esq.; Nuttall House, the residence of Sir Reynold A. Alleyne, Bart.; Fullbrook, a modern Gothic mansion, in the occupation of Mrs. Arden; Barton Hall, Holly Bank, &c. Lady Wilmot Horton is the lady of the manor."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) - Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]